Spanish airline denies reports it deboarded Jews

Madrid: Several dozen French passengers were removed from a flight leaving the Spanish city of Valencia for Paris for what Spanish police and the airline Thursday described as unruly behaviour.

The carrier, Vueling, denied reports that the incident, which involved removal of 44 minors and eight adults from the flight, was related to their religion. Some Israeli news outlets reported the students are Jewish and their removal was religiously motivated, a claim repeated by an Israeli minister online.

Spain's Civil Guard said the minors and four adults are French nationals, adding that agents involved weren't aware of their religious affiliation. A Vueling spokesperson said they were removed after the minors repeatedly tampered with emergency equipment and interrupted crew's safety demonstration.